Florida WR Caldwell out, RB James to play against Tennessee
GAINESVILLE, Fla. -- Fifth-ranked Florida will be without receiver Andre Caldwell for Saturday's game against No. 22 Tennessee, however running back Brandon James will play.
Caldwell sprained his medial collateral ligament in Florida's 59-31 win over Troy on Saturday and could be sidelined at least two weeks.
"That's a blow," coach Urban Meyer said Monday. "That's a frontal shot right there."
Caldwell touched the ball eight times for 130 yards and a touchdown in Florida's first two games, averaging 16.3 yards per play. He caught 57 passes for 577 yards and six touchdowns last season. He also ran for a score and threw a touchdown pass.
"It's a tough loss for us," quarterback Tim Tebow said. "He's a great player, a great leader for us and for our receiving corps. Everybody looks up to him. But a great thing about being at the University of Florida is you have guys that can step up and make plays. All those guys will step up."
Meyer didn't have a timetable for Caldwell's return.
"All I'm going to tell you is he's not going to play this week," he said.
The Gators also have other injuries but nothing severe.
Receiver Jarred Fayson injured his left knee in the game, but later returned. Backup safety Bryan Thomas also sprained an MCL. Thomas, a special teams star, is out against the Volunteers.
And Meyer said speedster Percy Harvin now has tendinitis in his knee in addition to the tendinitis in his Achilles tendon that has bothered him the last few weeks.
Harvin was limited in practice last week because of the Achilles tendon problems and was supposed to play sparingly against the Trojans. He will play against Tennessee.
But the Gators (2-0) turned to him after Troy cut a 42-point lead in half. Harvin finished with 56 yards rushing and 42 yards receiving.
Caldwell had one reception for 8 yards, catching a pass on the first play of the third quarter and then fumbling. He also had an 18-yard touchdown run in the first half.
Caldwell, the younger brother of former Florida receiver Reche Caldwell, caught 57 passes for 577 yards and six touchdowns last season.
Without him, Fayson, Cornelius Ingram and Louis Murphy will likely get expanded roles. Ingram caught seven passes for a career-high 105 yards and a touchdown against Troy. Murphy had six receptions for 78 yards.
James was suspended for the opener after pleading no contest last month to a misdemeanor marijuana possession charge.
He provided a spark for the special teams against Troy, returning one punt 32 yards and returning three kickoffs for 127 yards. He had a 59-yarder that set up a touchdown in the first quarter.
He sprained his ankle in the second half.